The American Bar Association (ABA) Judicial Division Lawyers Conference has announced that Todd Nuccio, Trial Court Administrator for the 26th Judicial District of North Carolina, has been selected to receive the American Bar Association Judicial Division Lawyers Conference Burnham "Hod" Greeley Award.

This award is given to individuals and organizations for making a significant, positive impact on public understanding of the role of the judiciary as an organization. Mr. Nuccio was nominated for the award by Carolyn A. Dubay, Assistant Professor for Charlotte School of Law, Hon. Chase B. Saunders, Retired Senior Resident Superior Court and Chief District Court Judge and Attorney with McNair Law Firm, P.A., Hon. A. Robinson Hassell, Special Superior Court Judge for the State of North Carolina's 18th Judicial District, and Thomas D. Myrick, Attorney with Moore and Van Allen PLLC.

Mr. Nuccio spearheaded efforts to form Justice Initiatives, Inc. (JI) in 2004, a non-profit organization that develops programming to address deficits in the public’s understanding and appreciation for the rule of law and the role of courts in our republican form of government. The organization demonstrates the important and compelling role courts play in forming a strong, prosperous and vibrant community and the inextricable connection between each individual’s quality of life and the courts’ ability to fairly adjudicate legal rights. In conveying this knowledge, it seeks public support for ensuring the judicial branch receives adequate funding and advocates to defend against policies that would undermine the independence, fairness, or integrity of our courts.

Mr. Nuccio holds a B.A. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.S. in Judicial Administration from the University of Denver College of Law. He has been the Trial Court Administrator for the 26th Judicial District of North Carolina since 1992. He was an Associate Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 1997 to 1999 and served as the Trial Court Administrator for the 12th Judicial District of NC from 1987 to 1991. Prior to this, Mr. Nuccio was the Assistant Court Administrator for the 7th Judicial District of Iowa from 1986 to 1987. Among other notable awards, Mr. Nuccio is the previous recipient of the 2008 Mecklenburg County Bar Liberty Bell Award which recognizes outstanding community service that has strengthened the American system of freedom under the law by a non-lawyer.

Mr. Nuccio was presented with the award at a ceremony that took place during the ABA Midyear Meeting at the Judicial Division Welcome Breakfast, on Friday, February 7, 2014, 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago West Tower in Chicago, Illinois.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.

National Center for State Courts,300 Newport Avenue, Williamsburg, VA23185-4147